Obesity action
Childhood obesity is a huge problem in Australia.
About 1 in 4 children are either overweight or obese
and the numbers are rising every year. So what is
being done to slow the problem down?
EPISODE 23
26TH AUGUST 2008
Focus Questions
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How many children in Australia are either overweight or obese?
What other health problems can obesity lead to?
What is a Sydney hospital doing to help the problem?
What does morbidly obese mean?
What is the treatment focussing on?
What surgical procedure do some adults have to control their weight?
Describe the issues associated with the surgery?
What is your view of using surgery to control weight?
Why is the surgery not recommended for children?
Apart from a healthy diet, what else can children do to stay healthy?
Learning Area
Society and
Environment
Key learning
Students will
develop an
understanding of the
issues associated
with childhood
obesity.
Childhood obesity
Please consider the sensitive nature of this topic when discussing the issue of
obesity with students.
Students will be investigating issues associated with childhood obesity. Begin with
a class discussion focussing on the following questions:

What is obesity?

Why has the childhood obesity rate increased?
The class discussion may raise questions the students want to investigate. Some
other possible topics for investigation include:

What are the contributing factors to childhood obesity? Factors such as
changes to diet (more fast food/convenience food), changes in lifestyle
(busy, less time for exercise), advertising fast food that is directed at
children.

What are the factors influencing food choice? (Consider cultural/family
background, personal likes/dislikes, money available, time available for
shopping and food preparation.)

What are the health implications? For example, heart disease and Type 2
diabetes.

What is the cost to the health system?
© ABC 2008
Support students to use a range
of resources for their
investigation.

What are some solutions to the problem? (Consider the role of schools in
promoting good health and nutrition, educating families about healthy food
choices.)
Students can choose to focus on one topic or investigate a number of topics relating
to childhood obesity. Negotiate with students ways to present their research
findings. These could include:



Written report
Advertising brochure
Video/animation
Reflection
How has the investigation changed your thinking and actions about making healthy
food choices?
Further investigations
What does your school do to support healthy eating? Consider food sold at the canteen,
whole school fruit eating time, food education taught in class. What else could be done
to support healthy eating? Present your findings to the class.
Analyse food advertising during children’s viewing times. What percentage of healthy
and unhealthy food is advertised over the period of a week?
Complete the healthy eating guide questionnaire at the following website
http://www3.health.nsw.gov.au/cihfap/form/surveyform.cfm
 Related Research Links
ABC News – Sydney hospital specialist tackles childhood obesity
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/18/2339262.htm
ABC AM – Hospital appoints childhood obesity specialist
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2338216.htm
NSW health – Information about childhood obesity
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/obesity/
Raising children website – Information about childhood obesity
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/childhood_obesity.html/context/747
Nutrition Australia website – Nutrition in schools
http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/Nutrition_In_Schools/
South Australian Government – Be Active campaign
http://beactive.com.au/tips.htm#children
© ABC 2008